Toy block



(No Model.)

J. B. ANDERSON.

TOY BLOCK.

No. 312.2120. Patented Peb17,1885.

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N. PETERS. PnawLimngmpher. wnshmgmn. n C4 UNTTT TaTTs ATnNT Fries.

TOY BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent 110.312,420, dated February 17, 1885.

Application i'od September 22, 1854i. (Nomodd.)

To (LIZ whom, it 71mg/ concernf Be it k nown that I, J. BURNHAM ANDERsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing in Bostou, Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Toy Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

Thisinvention relates, principally,to cubical alphabet-blocks for children, the aim of the invention being to render these blocks more attractive and instructive to young children.

To this end my invention consists in proriding the cubical block with a recess or cavity extending into it from one side, containing a suitable object, ornament, or picture, and cov-V ered with glass.

It also consists in certain details of construction, all as will be hereinafter` described.

In-the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of one of my improved blocks. Fig. 2 is a front elevation thereof, looking into thecavity. Fig. 3 is a Vertical section thereof on the line 3 3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4t is a transverse section on the line 4 et in Fig. 3, looking from the rear. Fig. 5 is afront elevation, on a smaller scale, of four different blocks. Fig. 6 shows the framing-ring or bezel detached; and Fig. 7 is a section corresponding to Fig. 3, and showing a modifica` tion.

The block A is or may be a cubical block having letters, figures, words, or pictures printed or painted on its several sides, as is usual with so-called alphabet-blocks as conimonly/made, except on one side, which, for convenience, I will refer to as the front A recess or cavity, B, is formed in the block, extending into it from the front to as great a depth as may be desirable, but preferably nearly through the block. This recess is large, leaving only a wall of sufficient thickness between it and the outer sides of the block, and it is preferably cylindrical, because ofthe facility with which it may be formed by boring, although it may be made rectangular or of other form. The block, instead of being made of a solid piece of wood with the recess formed by boringor mortising, may be` built up of a number of pieces put together after the 1nanner of a box, thereby forming a rectangular or prismatic cavity. W'ithin the cavity, and preferably about midway o't'its depth, is placed or attached an object, G. This object may be a picture, an ornament, a miniature facsimile, or any other thing that maybe desired. If a picture, it is preferably a chromo-lithograph representing some animal, bird, or other object cut out along the outlines of the thing represented and embossed in low relief, belonging, in fact, to what are commonly known as scrap-book pictures.7 In Figs. l, 2, 3, and 4 one of such pictures is shown representing a bird. In Fig. 5 i'our, other such `pictures are shown, being respectively a birds nest, a flower, a babys face, and a goat. Solid objects may be used, however, as shown in Fig. 7. The object or picture C is supported in any suitable way within the cavity, preferably by being glued to a wooden post, ((which projects from t-he rear wall of the cavity, being either fastened there or left standing in boring. The object or picture C may, however, be supported in any other suitable wayas, for instance, by suspending it loosely from above, as shown in Fig. 7, so that it may swing. The front of the cavity B is closed by a pane of glass, D, through which the object C may be seen. This is held in place preferably by means of a metal frame, E, between which and a shoulder or ledge, b, on the wood the glass is confined.

In boring out the block to form the cavity B a circular rabbet is formed to receive the glass, int-o which rabbet the frame E fits, so that this frame is sunk in flush with the surface of the block. In order to readily accomplish this construction, I make the frame Eof circular outline and bore the rabbet accurately to tit the frame.

To hold the frame securely in place, I form it with prongs c 0,'usually four `in number, which penetrate the wood when the frame is driven or forced into the rabbet. It may, however, be fastened by slender nails, if preferred, or it may have sharp peripheral screwthreads and be screwed into the wood, or attached in any other practicable manner. The finished block is precisely like ordinary cubical alphabet-blocks on all sides but one, and on that side (the front) the recess or cavity appears, on looking into which through the glass one secs the picture or other object G,which appears supported by invisible means within the cavity, and back of the object the cavity is seen receding into shadow. When ICO colors, the effect is highly pleasing and attract.

ive, and the block is well calculated to attract the attention of a child and excite its curiosity,

thus contributing to its instruction after the manner of obj ect-teachin g. The recess B may extend entirely through the block, as shown in Fig. 7, so that the object may be viewed from the back as well as the front, in which case there will be two panes of glass, D D, on opposite sides; or there may be two recesses extending in from opposite sides, each nearly half-Way, leaving a thin wall of wood between them.

VIt is not essential to my invention that the recess B be made so deep as is shown, although this is preferable. A very shallow recess may be used, in which case the object' or picture will corne close to the glass.

In place of glass, Inica may be used as its equivalent.

Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure Yby Letters Patent, is-

l. A toy block having on its several sides letters, gures, words, or pictures, and pro- `vided on one or more sides with a recess or cavity covered with glass, in which, behind the glass, is placed a picture, ornament, or other object, substantially as set forth.

2. A cubical toy block provided with a recess or cavity extending into it from one side, a picture, ornament, or other object supported by invisible means in the middle of said cavity, and a glass covering said cavity, substantially as set forth.

3. A cubical toy block provided with a recess or cavity extending into it from one side, a picture or other object placed in said cavity, a glass covering said cavity, and arfranie holding said glass in place, sunk into the block flush with its surface, substantially as set forth.

4. A cubical toy block formed with a cylindrical cavity extending into it, and a rabbet at the opening of said cavity, andprovided with a glass fitting into said rabbet, an annu` lar frame conforming to and lttinginto said rahbet flush with the surface of the block, and an object supported within the cavity beneath the glass, substantially as set forth.

5. The block A. formed with recess or cavity B, containing object C, covered by glass D, and held in by annular frame E, sunk flush with the Asurface of the block, and having prongs c c, by which it is held in place, sul)- stantially as set forth.

6. The block A, formed with recess or cavity B, extending` into but not through it from one side, with a post, a, projecting` from the rear wall of the recess, a picture or other ob- `ject, C, secured to this post and concealing the latter from view, and a glass, D, covering the recess, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSIA Il BL'RVNIIAM ANDERSON.

Vitnesses:

GEORGE R. PREscoTT, CHARLEs W. WELLs. 

